New South Wales remains Australia's most sought-after destination for skilled migrants, but with only 3,600 places available for 2025-26-a 28% reduction from the previous year-navigating the NSW nomination landscape requires a carefully crafted strategy. By December 2025, approximately 25% of the 190 allocation (~525 places) had already been exhausted, leaving roughly 1,575 places for the remainder of the program year.
Unlike other states that accept direct applications, NSW operates a highly selective invitation-only model where occupation, salary, and sector alignment determine your success. The era of securing nomination purely on the basis of high points is effectively over-the 2025-26 paradigm requires a demonstrated "net benefit" to the state.
This guide focuses exclusively on NSW. For a comparison with Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, see our State Nomination Comparison 2026 guide.
NSW 2025-26 Allocation at a Glance
| Visa Subclass | Allocation | Status (Dec 2025) | Remaining (Est.) | Strategic Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 190 | 2,100 | ~25% Used | ~1,575 | High-yield talent for Sydney priority sectors |
| Subclass 491 | 1,500 | Opens 19 Jan 2026 | 1,500 | Regional decentralisation incentive |
| Total | 3,600 | High Competition | ~3,075 | Precision economic management |
The "scarcity" model empowers NSW to exercise extreme selectivity. Historical patterns suggest allocations may close early in May-June or September-October. Apply as early as possible.
Subclass 190: The Permanent Pathway
The NSW Subclass 190 visa grants immediate permanent residency, adding 5 bonus points to your SkillSelect score. However, NSW operates a closed occupation list-unlike Victoria, if your ANZSCO unit group isn't listed, you're ineligible regardless of points.
NSW 190 Eligibility Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Under 45 at time of invitation |
| Points | Minimum 65 (including 5 state nomination points) |
| English | At least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 each band) |
| Skills Assessment | Valid assessment in occupation on NSW Skills List |
| Health & Character | Meet Department of Home Affairs requirements |
NSW 190 Residency Requirements
You must meet one of the following residency criteria:
- Currently working in NSW in your nominated occupation
- Residing in NSW continuously for at least 6 months
- Residing offshore continuously for at least 6 months
NSW uses a selection-based invitation model. You cannot apply directly-you must submit an EOI through SkillSelect and wait for NSW to invite you based on occupation priority and points score. Monthly invitation rounds resume in January 2026.
Points Competitiveness: The Real Numbers
While the Department of Home Affairs sets the minimum at 65 points (including state nomination), the operational reality is far more competitive:
| Occupation Type | Effective Points Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ICT Professionals | 95-100+ | Saturated market; requires Superior English + Professional Year |
| Health Professionals | 75-85 | Critical shortage; lower threshold due to demand |
| Trades (Construction) | 80-90 | Driven more by experience than raw points |
| General Business | 95+ | Marketing, HR, Accounting face highest barriers |
NSW Priority Sectors for 190
| Priority Sector | Example Occupations | Strategic Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Care & Support Economy | Registered Nurses, Aged Care Workers, Teachers | Highest volume sector; structural workforce deficits |
| Construction | Civil Engineers, Project Managers, Trades | Sydney Metro, Western Sydney Airport driving demand |
| Digital & Cyber | Cybersecurity Specialists, Cloud Engineers, Data Scientists | Focus on AI, fintech, quantum computing |
| Net Zero & Energy Transition | Renewable Energy Engineers, Environmental Engineers | Strong synergy with regional 491 pathway |
| Agriculture & Agrifood | Agricultural Scientists, Farm Managers | Regional focus |
| Advanced Manufacturing | Industrial Engineers, Production Managers | Emerging strategic pillar |
For a full overview of skilled visa options, visit our dedicated service page.
A Registered Nurse with 75 points may be invited ahead of a Marketing Specialist with 95 points due to sector prioritisation. Generalist IT roles (Help Desk, basic Support) are less competitive than specialised Cyber Security or Cloud Engineering roles.
The Five-Day Validity Rule (Critical)
NEW RULE: All supporting documents-Skills Assessment, English Test, and Passport-must be valid for at least 5 days after your application is submitted. If your English test expires 3 days after submission, your application is deemed invalid and removed from the queue.
Risk Scenario: You submit your application on 20 January 2026. Your English test expires on 22 January. Under the new rules, this application is invalid-by the time you retake the test and reapply, the allocation may be exhausted.
Subclass 491: The Regional Pathway
The NSW Subclass 491 visa is a 5-year provisional visa for designated regional areas of NSW. After 3 years, you can apply for the Subclass 191 permanent residency visa. NSW adds 15 bonus points to your SkillSelect score.
NSW offers three distinct pathways-and critically, Pathways 1 and 3 are processed chronologically (first-come, first-served), making the 19 January 2026 opening date a race.
Pathway 1: Currently Employed in Regional NSW
Opens: 19 January 2026 | Processing: Chronological Order
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Employment Location | Must work at business premises in designated regional NSW |
| Employment Duration | Same employer for at least 6 continuous months |
| Hours | Minimum 20 hours per week |
| Occupation Match | Working in nominated occupation (or same ANZSCO unit group) |
| Salary | Earning at least CSIT ($76,515 AUD) or equivalent rate |
| Skills Assessment | Valid assessment on NSW Regional Skills List |
The CSIT Income Threshold (Updated July 2025)
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) increased to $76,515 AUD effective 1 July 2025 (up from $73,150). This is the new benchmark for 491 Pathway 1 eligibility.
The Pro-Rata Trap for Part-Time Workers:
The requirement tests your salary rate, not actual earnings. If you work 20 hours/week, your actual annual earnings might be ~$39,000-but this is acceptable only if the full-time equivalent (38 hours) would pay $76,515.
| Work Hours | Required Hourly Rate | Annual Earnings (Actual) |
|---|---|---|
| 38 hrs/week (full-time) | ~$38.70/hr | $76,515 |
| 30 hrs/week | ~$38.70/hr | $60,405 |
| 20 hrs/week | ~$38.70/hr | $40,270 |
This effectively excludes entry-level roles in hospitality or administration. You need to earn approximately $38-39 per hour to meet the pro-rata CSIT requirement.
CSIT Concessions (Non-Monetary Benefits)
NSW allows Type 1 concessions where non-monetary benefits can count for up to 10% of the threshold:
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Cash Salary | At least 90% of CSIT (~$68,864) |
| Non-Monetary Benefits | Up to 10% (~$7,651) in accommodation, food, vehicle |
This concession is particularly relevant for agricultural or regional hospitality roles where accommodation is often part of the employment package. Keep detailed records of the market value of non-cash benefits.
The Border Town Provision
A unique feature of NSW's 491 program: you don't need to live in regional NSW-only work there.
| Scenario | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Live in Wodonga (VIC), work in Albury (NSW) | ✅ Yes |
| Live in Coolangatta (QLD), work in Tweed Heads (NSW) | ✅ Yes |
| Live in Sydney, work remotely for regional employer | ❌ No |
If regional NSW housing is unavailable or expensive, utilise the border town strategy. You must physically work at business premises in regional NSW-remote work from Sydney does not qualify.
Pathway 2: Investment NSW Invitation
Status: Currently Closed | Earliest Round: April 2026
This pathway is a demand-management contingency. Investment NSW has explicitly stated that invitation rounds will only occur if Pathways 1 and 3 don't exhaust the allocation.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Occupation | On NSW Regional Skills List |
| Residency (Onshore) | Working or living in NSW for minimum 3 continuous months |
| Residency (Offshore) | Living offshore for minimum 3 continuous months |
Do not rely on Pathway 2 as your primary strategy. The 1,500 places could be fully subscribed by Pathways 1 and 3 before April 2026. This pathway is effectively a "strategic reserve" for high-points candidates.
Pathway 3: Regional NSW Graduates
Opens: 19 January 2026 | Processing: Chronological Order
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Bachelor's degree or higher from regional NSW institution |
| Timeframe | Completed within past 2 years |
| Field of Study | Must relate to nominated occupation |
| Campus Location | Must be in designated regional area (Sydney satellite campuses don't qualify) |
Eligible Regional NSW Institutions:
- University of Newcastle (Newcastle, Central Coast)
- University of Wollongong (Wollongong campus)
- Charles Sturt University (Bathurst, Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury-Wodonga)
- Southern Cross University (Lismore, Coffs Harbour)
- University of New England (Armidale)
- Western Sydney University (Penrith campus only)
Regional NSW: Economic Zone Analysis
The Hunter Region (Newcastle/Maitland)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Postcodes | 2264-2308 |
| Key Industries | Energy, Defence, Advanced Manufacturing, Healthcare |
| Demand Occupations | Engineers, Trades, Health Professionals |
| Lifestyle | "Sydney-lite" with beaches, 2 hours from Sydney |
The Illawarra (Wollongong)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Postcodes | 2500-2526, 2528-2535 |
| Key Industries | Clean Energy (transitioning from steel), University sector, Healthcare |
| Demand Occupations | ICT Professionals, Health Professionals, Engineers |
| Lifestyle | Coastal, 1 hour from Sydney |
Orana (Dubbo)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Postcodes | 2830 area |
| Key Industries | Agriculture, Critical Minerals Mining |
| Special Pathway | Orana DAMA offers age and English concessions |
| Lifestyle | Central NSW, inland |
Northern Rivers (Byron/Lismore)
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Postcodes | 2460-2490 |
| Key Industries | Creative/Digital, Agriculture (macadamias, berries) |
| Demand Occupations | Agricultural workers, Healthcare, Hospitality |
| Lifestyle | Lifestyle destination, subtropical |
NSW Nomination Fees and Processing
| Factor | Subclass 190 | Subclass 491 |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Nomination Fee* | ~$363 AUD (+GST if onshore) | ~$363 AUD (+GST if onshore) |
| Processing Time | ~6 weeks | ~6 weeks (chronological order) |
| Invitation Response | 14 days (non-extendable) | 14 days (non-extendable) |
| Expedited Processing | Only for document/visa expiry within 10 working days, or age points loss |
*Confirm current nomination fee on the NSW Government website.
Federal Visa Fees (After Nomination)
| Applicant | Fee (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant | $4,910 |
| Partner/Spouse (18+) | $2,455 |
| Dependent Child (<18) | $1,230 |
Fees current as of January 2026. Subject to change on 1 July each year.
The 191 Transition: A Legislative Anomaly
Current Legal Gap: No legislative instrument has been signed setting a minimum income for the Subclass 191 visa. Currently, you only need to provide 3 tax returns-there's no minimum income requirement for this transition.
| Getting In (491) | Getting Out (191) |
|---|---|
| High barrier: Must meet CSIT ($76,515) | Low barrier: Just provide 3 tax returns |
| Strict salary verification | No minimum income currently specified |
This is a gap, not a guarantee. The Minister could sign a legislative instrument at any time, potentially imposing an income threshold retroactively. Maintain CSIT-level income to mitigate this risk.
191 Compliance (Condition 8579)
The Department uses data matching with the ATO, banks, and utility providers to verify you've lived and worked in regional areas for 3 years. Moving back to Sydney-even briefly-constitutes a breach.
Queensland: The Rising Competitor
Queensland's 190 allocation increased by 208% (from ~600 to 1,850 places) for 2025-26. If you're flexible on location and struggling with NSW's strict requirements, Queensland offers a genuine alternative with a 9-month work requirement.
| Factor | NSW | Queensland |
|---|---|---|
| 190 Allocation | 2,100 (down 28%) | 1,850 (up 208%) |
| Work Requirement | Preferred, not mandatory | 9 months mandatory |
| Construction | Priority sector | 3-month fast-track pathway |
Strategic Action Plan
For Sydney-Based Professionals (190)
- Audit immediately: Verify your occupation is on the 2025-26 NSW Skills List
- Score reality check: Acknowledge that <90 points is unlikely for ICT/Business
- Invest in differentiators: Superior English (see our English Test Comparison Guide for strategies), NAATI CCL for 5 bonus points
- Don't jeopardise residency: Moving interstate resets the 6-month clock
For Regional Applicants (491)
- Prepare for 19 January 2026: Have portal account ready, documents valid and digitised
- Salary check: Ensure contract explicitly meets CSIT ($76,515) pro-rata
- Border strategy: If NSW housing is expensive, consider living in VIC/QLD border towns
- First-come priority: Applications processed chronologically-apply on opening day
For Offshore Candidates
- Sector reality: Unless you're a Registered Nurse, Teacher, or Senior Engineer, 190 probability is low
- Monitor Pathway 2: Watch for April 2026 announcement
- Diversify: Apply to Queensland and WA concurrently
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These errors frequently result in refused nominations or wasted opportunities.
- Ignoring the Five-Day Rule: Documents must be valid 5+ days after submission
- Missing the 14-Day Deadline: Have all documents ready before receiving invitation
- Misunderstanding CSIT: The threshold is now $76,515 (not $73,150)
- Remote work confusion: Working from Sydney for a regional employer doesn't qualify
- Assuming points guarantee invitation: Sector alignment trumps raw points
Next Steps
- Check your points using our GSM Points Calculator-aim for 90+ points for 190, 65+ points for 491
- Verify your occupation on the NSW Skills List
- Prepare documents early-the 19 January race is real
- Consider Queensland if NSW requirements are barriers
State nomination requirements and occupation lists are subject to change. Always confirm current availability on the official NSW Government website.
How First Migration Can Help
NSW's "scarcity model" demands precision. With only 3,600 places and sector-based prioritisation, you need a targeted strategy that aligns your occupation, salary, location, and timing with NSW's specific requirements.
At First Migration Service Centre, our registered migration agents specialise in NSW skilled visa applications. We can assess your eligibility across all three 491 pathways, evaluate your 190 prospects based on current invitation trends, and advise on CSIT concession strategies.
Ready to take the next step? We invite you to submit a free visa assessment for tailored advice on your NSW nomination pathway.
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